Bentonville Family Lawyers

Eleven years’ legal experience in business law, corporate formation, compliance, complex consumer litigation, regulatory, contracts and bankruptcy law. Local experience in family law; advocate for domestic violence survivors. Four years in Am Law (top 100 American law firms) located in DC, with business, bankruptcy and commercial litigation focus. Experience in automotive and construction fraud litigation. Fifteen years’ corporate experience, gained as business owner, award-winning author and airplane owner. Advanced knowledge of and experience working with UDAAP, Bankruptcy rules...

Adriana was born and raised in New York, and attended both college and law school in Washington, D.C. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs, Philosophy, and Political Science from The George Washington University in 2009, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 2013.

Throughout law school, Adriana worked for various nonprofit organizations in Virginia and Washington, D.C., focusing on immigration issues related to domestic violence victims, victims of crime, children, and family matters.

Upon graduation, Adriana moved to Virginia where she earned her license to...

Jonathan McHugh is a lead senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. He is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including high asset divorce cases. Mr. McHugh works in the firm’s offices in Manassas and Arlington, and represents clients all across Northern Virginia. As one of the leading military divorce lawyers in the firm, Mr. McHugh is intimately familiar with issues of military retirement, the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act, the Survivor Benefit Plan, disability pay, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Mr. McHugh is also experienced in the division...

Sarah Collins is a partner at The Manassas Law Group, P.C., practicing family law and criminal law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody, and support cases. Ms. Collins represents clients in Manassas, Prince William County, and all across Northern Virginia. Before entering private practice, Ms. Collins served for two years as a law clerk in the Prince William County Circuit Court.

James Livesay is a founding partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C. He leads the firm’s team of family law attorneys across offices in Fairfax, Arlington, Ashburn, Manassas and Fredericksburg-Stafford, Virginia. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1995 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998, Mr. Livesay served three years in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps. He entered civilian practice as a family law attorney in 2001, and joined with partner Kevin Myers to found Livesay & Myers, P.C. in 2003. Drawing on his experience as a Navy JAG officer, Mr. Livesay established the military divorce section of the firm...

John Whitbeck is the founder and partner of WhitbeckBennett. His practice focuses on family law, more specifically divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence and protective orders, adoption, special education law, and mental health law.

He is a professor of law at George Mason University Law School, and the former Director of the George Mason University Law and Mental Illness Clinic.

John uses his expert knowledge of the law to advocate for his clients and their families.

Amanda Stone Swart is a lead senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Stone Swart works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Stone Swart is originally from Boone, Iowa. She graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 2004, with Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in both Political Science and Journalism. Upon graduation, Ms. Stone Swart worked in politics in...

Ariel Baniowski is a managing partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Baniowski works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Baniowski is known as one of the more aggressive attorneys at Livesay & Myers, P.C., and has litigated every type of family law matter in Virginia, including custody, support, separation and high asset divorce cases. Ms. Baniowski's work ethic and drive are unmatched. To say...

Experienced Divorce Attorney and Mediator

Corrie Sirkin is a conscientious, energetic, smart and capable attorney. She has practiced family law exclusively throughout her career. She provides experienced services in areas of family law which include divorce, child custody, visitation, paternity, child support, equitable distribution, pre-marital agreements, spousal support, separation, pre-marital agreements, modification, post-judgment matters, and property settlement agreements. Corrie practices family law in Virginia and is also licensed in New Jersey and New York.

Her ability to problem solve in a rational, professional and courteous manner provides proven positive outcomes. There are many options for alternative dispute resolutions including settlement discussions, negotiation and mediation which may...

Michael Brackman is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. He works in the firm’s Manassas office, and represents clients throughout Manassas and Prince William County. Mr. Brackman earned his J.D. from George Mason University in 2021, after graduating magna cum laude from Centenary College of Louisiana in 2018. Mr. Brackman currently holds a perfect 10.0 rating from Justia.

Kate Beurmann-O'Neill is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She works in the firm’s Manassas office, and represents clients throughout Manassas and Prince William County. An attorney for 19 years, Ms. Beurmann-O'Neill began her legal career by working as an estate planning attorney at a law firm in Fairfax from 2004–2006. She then worked as an attorney in the health care field for almost 15 years, at companies based in Virginia, Tennessee and then Florida. In 2021, Ms. Beurmann-O'Neill began practicing exclusively family law, at a law firm in Manassas. She then joined Livesay...

Erÿk Mahaffey is an attorney at Boston Law Firm, practicing Bankruptcy and family law. Mr. Mahaffey handles every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Mr. Mahaffey earned his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2008, after graduating cum laude from Salem State University in 2001. An attorney since 2008, Mr. Mahaffey worked at a law firm in Winchester, Virginia from 2008—2010. He then operated his own solo bankruptcy and family law practice. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Mahaffey served in the United States Army from 1993—2001....

Name and co-founding partner Michele L. Burton was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia where she obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Anthropology. Shortly thereafter, Michele graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master of Arts in Humanities with a focus on Race and Law. In May 2012, she graduated from the College of William and Mary School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and passed the bar in October of that year. Upon graduation, Michele worked as a magistrate in Norfolk, Virginia for two years where she conducted probable cause...

Mr. Kales is an experienced Fairfax, Va. divorce mediator and collaborative divorce attorney. After practicing family law for years and concluding trials and court serve divorcing spouses poorly, making already difficult cases harder and more painful, Mr. Kales focuses his practice on helping his clients avoid litigation and to reach negotiated separation and divorce settlement agreements and prenuptial agreements. He wishes to provide his clients with the assistance needed to reach optimal solutions for themselves and their families, sympathetically, individually, and cost-effectively.

Camellia Safi is a partner with Safi, Duran & Chim, PLLC, in Fairfax, Virginia. Camellia has over a decade of experience practicing family law in the Northern Virginia area. Camellia understands that good results require compassion, hard work and an ability to connect with the client. Family law is a unique area of law that requires the attorney and the client to be on the same page and have similar values and goals to achieve success. Camellia serves as an advocate for her clients and alleviates their concerns and fears but believes that to achieve the best results, the client...

Chris Ingram is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. His practice covers every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody, visitation, and support cases. Mr. Ingram works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Leesburg, Ashburn, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Mr. Ingram graduated from George Mason University School of Law in 2022. Prior to law school, Mr. Ingram earned his B.S. from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2016. Mr. Ingram currently holds a perfect 10.0 rating from Justia. Chris Ingram lives in Northern Virginia.

After completing his undergrad with honors at the University of Toronto in Canada, Mr. Raheen moved to New York and attained his Juris Doctorate Law Degree (J.D.) and Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) at the New York Law School and Fordham University School of Law, respectively. Following his post-doctorate graduation, Mr. Raheen worked with the prestigious NY law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, where he gained and reflected their successful motto of attention to detail in high quality work product. Mr. Raheen and his family moved closer to family in the DC...

Ryan M. Schmalzle is a principal and founder of the firm. His practice focuses on family law, civil litigation, and criminal law. Ryan regularly practices in several jurisdictions in Northern Virginia including Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Clarke County, Frederick County and the City of Winchester. He also practices in the Maryland Courts, including Frederick County and Montgomery County. Ryan is an adjunct professor of law at George Mason University School of Law where he teaches appellate writing. Ryan also serves as a Special Justice in Loudoun County and he presides over civil commitment hearings. Although Ryan’s primary love...

Debbie McIntyre-Yurkovich is a founding partner of McIntyre DeFede Law PLLC. Her clients benefit from her many years of experience and knowledge garnered from prior cases and clients. Ms. McIntyre-Yurkovich has represented individuals in a variety of matters throughout Northern Virginia. Ms. McIntyre-Yurkovich is also the parent of a child with special needs, and she understands the unique circumstances that present legally, economically, and emotionally to parents of special needs children. Ms. McIntyre-Yurkovich is proud that many of her client referrals come from her many satisfied current and past clients. She is equally proud that she...

For over a decade, lawyer Sarah Bruns has been aggressively protecting the rights of her clients in Northern Virginia. As a seasoned trial attorney, Sarah has defended individuals charged with Murder, Rape, Robbery, Theft, and Drug Possession/Distribution. Sarah also has extensive experience in representing clients charged with traffic offenses such as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) and Hit and Run. While some crimes carry more severe penalties than others, Sarah handles every client’s case knowing that it is the most important one for that client. She believes that no client should be treated as if their issue is of little consequence. Sarah’s...

Kim Luckey exclusively practices civil litigation, primarily focusing her practice on tortious claims and family and domestic relations matters. Kim has successfully litigated numerous custody, equitable distribution, and support cases, negotiated complex property settlement agreements, and successfully pursued and defended against various tortious claims including defamation and malicious prosecution. Kim represents clients throughout Northern Virginia in the full range of domestic relations and tort matters. Kim is recognized for her analytical style, attention to detail, and her calm but stern demeanor. Family law cases often involve intense emotional disputes, and she provides competent, effective representation while at the same time...

I practice primarily family law, guiding clients through divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and protective orders. Prior to joining The Manassas Law Group, I had the honor of serving as the judicial law clerk to the Honorable Carroll A. Weimer, Jr. in the Prince William Circuit Court. My clerking experience has provided me with intricate knowledge of the court system as well as unique problem solving experience. My approach to family law is to provide clients with the requisite information and guidance to reach a resolution. Family law issues tend to be personal and highly emotional, and I...

REPRESENTTIVE CASES - United States v. Bosyk, 933 F3d 319 (4th Cir. 2019) cert denied, 140 S. Ct. 1124 (U.S. Feb. 24, 2020)(No. 19-860), 2019. - Shepherd v. Conde, 797 S.E.2d 750 (Va. 2017) - Chacey v. Garvey, 781 S.E.2d 357, (Va. 2015) - Weatherholt v. Commonwealth, 839 S.E.2d 492 (Va. 2020) - Spell v. Commonwealth, 851 S.E.2d 83 (2020) - St. John v. Thompson, 854 S.E.2d 648 (2021) CLASSES/SEMINARS - Land Use and Zoning: Navigate Land Use/Zoning Regulations, Permitting Issues, Disputes and More; National Business Institute, July 20, 2017 - How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted (and Keep Theirs Out), National Business Institute,...

Joseph H. Beale has been providing exceptional legal services for individuals and families in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia for more than twenty years. Every client is important and with you he will develop a client centered strategy that fits your unique circumstances in order to meet your goals and achieve the best possible outcome for you in a cost effective, ethical and efficient manner. He believes in building strong and lasting relationships with clients based on trust, open communication and delivering results. He has a solid reputation as a skilled litigator and negotiator, earning a perfect 10...

Michael J. Seck, Esquire born Ann Arbor, Michigan; admitted to Virginia bar October 12, 2001, Supreme Court of Virginia, October 29, 2001, Supreme Court of New Jersey, December 7, 2002, United States District Court, District of New Jersey, December 31, 2001 Education: Elon College, North Carolina (B.A., Politics, August 1996); The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Michigan, (Juris Doctor, January 2001) Practice Areas: Criminal Law; Adult and Juvenile Felonies and Misdemeanors; Driving While Intoxicated; Traffic Law; Divorce; Domestic Relations; Adoption; Civil Litigation; Landlord/Tenant; Business & Corporate Law; Wills and Estates; HOA Disputes; Consumer Protection; Products Liability; Personal Injury ...

I focus my practice on five areas: family law, civil litigation, bankruptcy, criminal defense, business law and contract drafting. For family law matters, I can assist clients with divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and protective orders. I also have experience in a wide variety of civil litigation, ranging from breach of contract claims to property ownership disputes and beyond. I earned my law degree from Villanova University School of Law where I served as a student attorney in Villanova’s Clinic for Asylum, Refugee, and Emigrant Services. Passionate about pro bono work, I also volunteered as the Chair of the...

Sharon Moss is an associate at Farrell & Croft, P.C. practicing family law and estate planning. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. In her estate planning practice, Ms. Moss drafts wills, trusts, advance medical directives, living wills, and powers of attorney.

A native Virginian, Ms. Moss is a military spouse, and has lived in many states over the last 16 years. She graduated cum laude in the top 20% of her class from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of...

For more than 40 years, ShounBach has continued to establish itself as one of the best family law firms in Northern Virginia. The firm’s extensive team of Northern Virginia family law attorneys has more than 200 years of combined experience and handles all kinds of family law and divorce matters, from child custody to domestic violence. More information can be found on the firm’s extensive website.

Robert D. Moreton dedicates his practice to domestic relations and bankruptcy law.

While family law and bankruptcy issues can be overwhelming and emotionally draining, Mr. Moreton takes a practical approach to each of his cases, working with client to determine their priorities and develop a strategy tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of their case. Mr. Moreton understands that there is no substitution for hard work and preparation when it comes to resolving complex and emotional issues.

Mr. Moreton represents clients in Circuit Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts throughout Northern Virginia. He also represents individual and...

Melanie Hubbard is a founding partner at Malinowski Hubbard and practices exclusively in family law. She has successfully litigated multiple cases involving child custody, property and asset division, grandparents’ rights, property settlement agreements, and more. An active member of the legal community, Attorney Hubbard helped author Chapter 3 – Support and Property Provisions in Separation and Support Agreements – of “Negotiating and Drafting Marital Agreements” handbook. She also contributed to the Virginia Family Law Coalition’s report to the Virginia Senate Rules Committee (October 2013) revolving matters of parental control and third party infringement. Her peers selected her for the 2016...

As a criminal defense attorney, John has fought aggressively for his clients’ rights in cases involving serious felonies, including murder, malicious wounding, drug possession/distribution, white-collar crimes, and sex crimes (e.g. rape, child pornography) as well as all types of misdemeanors, including DUI, assault and battery, and simple driving infractions, such as reckless driving. As a civil litigation lawyer, John has experience in both jury trials and bench trials, and has represented clients in cases worth millions of dollars. Early on in his career, he litigated patent infringement cases all over the country. Over the years, he has continued to excel in...

Douglas J. Sanderson provides legal services in the multiple areas of commercial real estate, family law/domestic relations, and business organizations and transactions. In his family law/domestic relations practice, Doug counsels and represents people who seek legal assistance with, for example, separation agreements, divorces, and issues of child custody and visitation, equitable distribution, and support (spousal and child, as may apply), as well as, on a happier note, pre-nuptial agreements. Doug’s practice includes litigation as well as other methods of problem-solving, and he strives to assist clients in finding resolutions that avoid or minimize litigation, and to further that...

John Irving brings a working knowledge of all aspects of the legal process to any case or client with his extensive and eclectic legal background. In 1997, John received his undergraduate bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Shortly after graduation he began work as a fraud investigator for the City of New York. John handled thousands of cases involving welfare and housing fraud. Following this position, he was recruited to and employed the Prince William County Police Department where he exhibited his superior abilities and received several commendations and awards. After a brief time with the police department, John decided to make...